Curtain-closure device



Feb. 11, 1930.

W. H. STARING CURTAIN CLOSURE DEVICE I Filed Oct. 28. 1926 nozmfoz WFI/I m H S tar ha Patented Feb. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM H. STARING, OF W'ILLOUGHBY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC REGISTER- ING MACHINE COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CURTAIN-CLOSURE DEVICE Application filed October 28, 1926. Serial No. 144,839.

This invention relates to an improvement in a curtain closure device, and more particularly to one for use in connection with enclosing the keyboard of a voting machine during part of the voting operations and sublit stantially of the type set forth in the patent to Gillespie, 995,424, patented J un-e 13, 1911.

In votingmachines of the class specified the keyboard is covered during part of the voting operations by curtains, which are opened and closed by means of a lever which is in most cases operated by the voter. Moreover, until said keyboard is completely enclosed, the mechanism thereon cannot be actuated.

The primary object of this invention is to provide means which insure the complete enclosure of the keyboard, which means are herein set forth as acting to hold the curtain leveryieldably, but firmly, at the limit of its curtain closing movement.

Other objects of this invention reside in the details of construction set forth in the following specification and in the drawings which form a part thereof, and in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a voting machine equipped with one embodiment of this invention, and showing in full lines the curtain lever in the open position, and in dotted lines the curtain lever in the closed position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the latch embodying this invention shown in Figure 1; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of said latch.

At the front of the voting machine designated in the drawing by the numeral is provided a keyboard 11 which is enclosed by curtains 12 when the voter is indicating on the keyboard his preferences. This is shown in Figure 1 rather sketchily, and reference is directed to the Gillespie patent above mentioned and to the description and showing therein for a fuller exposition of these features.

oscillation of a lever 15 pivotally supported on the machine 10 and adapted to be manually actuated by a handle 16.

An endless cord 17 passing over pulleys 18 is connected to the end of the lever 15 by a line 19. I ends 20 and 21 of the curtains 12, so as the cord 17 is moved the curtains are brought together to complete the enclosure of the keyboard 11, or are separated to expose the keyboard and permit the voter to approach or leave the keyboard.

A stop 22 limits the opening movement of the lever 15, while a latch 23 limits the closing movement thereof. The construction of the voting machine requires that the lever 15 be held at the closing limit during a part of the voting operation, and in order to insure that the latch 23 is employed in place of a simple limit stop such as is shown at 22.

The latch 23 comprisesa plate 24 havingat its base a flange 25, by which it is fixed to the machine 10 in any suitable manner, as by meansof screws 26 passed through ,holes 27 in the flange 25. Pivotally mounted on theplate 24 as by a pin 28 is a catch 29. .Aspring 30 normally holdsthe catch 29 in contact witha finger 31 here shown as integral with the plate 24, and 'bent outwardly therefrom.

At the front of the plate 24 is a mouth 32, formed by jaws 33, 34, into which mouth the lever 15enters as shown .in Figure 2. At the outer end of the catch 29 is provided a lip '35,

which normally extends above .the upperjedge of the jaw 34. Both the lip and roller 3.6

project in the normal position of the lat-ch into the path of the lever 15 as it enters the mouth 32. Since the catch is held in its normal position by the spring 3Q, the lever 15' as it enters the mouth 32 swings the catch onthe pin 28 against the tension of the spring 30,

To the cord 17 are connected the depressing the lip 35 and roller 36. When the lever 15 is fully within themouth 32 the lip 35 and roller 36 are returned by the spring to their normal positions, thus preventing the lever from inadvertently leaving the mouth 32. A check 37 carried by the plate 24 and consisting of a rubber block 38 mounted in a pocket 39 functions to stop the closing travel of the lever 15.

The parts and elements just described are operated in the following manner. When the voter approaches the keyboard 11 the lever 15 is in the full line position shown in Figure 1. After passing between the ends 20 and 21 of the curtains 12 the voter, by means of the handle 16, swings the lever 15 into the dotted line position of Figure 1, thus bringing the ends 20 and 21 of the curtains together and signature.

WVILLIAM H. STARING.

completing the enclosure of the keyboard 11. v

The lever 15 enters the mouth 32, being pushed by the voter past the lip and roller 36. The lip 35 and roller 36 prevent the lever 15 from leaving the mouth 32 until the voter has finished and grasping the handle 16 swings the lever past the lip 35 and roller 36 across to the stop 22, thus separating the curtains 12.

While one embodimentof this invention has been shown and described, application is not limited thereto, since it is obvious that other embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as set forth in the following claims.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is 1. A curtain closure device comprising a lever by which said curtains are opened and closed, and a latch mounted to yieldably hold said lever in closed position, said latch comprising a plate having jaws forming a mouth into'which said lever enters, and a catch pivoted on said plate, which prevents said lever from inadvertently leaving said mouth.

2. A curtain closure device comprising a lever by which said curtains are opened and closed, and a latch mounted to yieldably hold said lever in closed position, said latch comprising a plate having jaws forming a mouth into which said lever enters, a catch pivoted on said plate, which prevents said lever from inadvertently leaving said mouth, and means for yieldably holding said catch in functioning position.

3. A curtain closure device comprising a lever by which said curtains are opened and closed, and a latch mounted to yieldably hold said lever in closed position, said latch comprising a plate having jaws forming a mouth into which said lever enters, a catch pivoted on said plate, which prevents said lever from inadvertently leaving said mouth, said catch including a lip which projects into said mouth and engages said lever.

4. A curtain closure device comprising a 

